Local pub raises funds for children’s charity

7 March 2014

Staff at the Star Inn, in Bentworth, have set themselves a physical challenge to raise funds for Action Medical Research – three staff and a customer have vowed to run or cycle at least 800 miles this year between them. They will be taking part in the charity’s events to complete their epic challenge.

Matt Williams, manager of the Star Inn, has already ridden London to Paris seven times for the charity and will be riding it twice more this year, one of these on the new 24-hour route to the French capital. A customer is also taking on the London to Paris route in September. Two other staff will also be running the London Marathon in aid of Action Medical Research.

Matt said: “It’s a fantastic charity and a really worthwhile cause to fundraise for. It’s good for our health and by taking part in Action Medical Research challenges we can be assured of well organised events and lots of fun in the process.”

Wanting to shed some weight, Matt first got involved with the charity in 2007 after his friend suggested the charity’s London to Paris ride. Then new to cycling, he is now a diehard fan and has taken part in the ride ever since. He also puts in regular gym work to build up his stamina for the 240-mile journey. A glutton for punishment, or a cycling hero, Matt often chooses to ride back to Hampshire after completing the London to Paris ride.

The team will be raising money to help fund medical research into conditions affecting babies and children. Medical research can save and change children’s lives. Yet surprisingly, medical research into conditions that devastate children’s lives is poorly funded. Action Medical Research has been funding medical breakthroughs since it began in 1952. The charity is currently supporting work around stillbirth, epilepsy, meningitis, cerebral palsy and brain cancer, as well as some rare and distressing conditions that severely affect children.

Follow us on Twitter at @actionmedres and @amr_events
Like our Facebook page at facebook.com/actionevents
Follow us on Pinterest at pinterest.com/actionmedres

Action Medical Research is a UK-wide charity saving and changing children’s lives through medical research. We want to make a difference in:
tackling premature birth and treating sick and vulnerable babies
helping children affected by disability, disabling conditions and infections
targeting rare diseases that together severely affect many forgotten children.